Ziklag T8.6 - The Restrainer

The Man of Anarchy in 2 Thessalonians

SOS Discipline - Daily Proverb and Red Letter Reader

An opinion is what it is. cf Pr. 11:14

Don't settle for being shy. cf Mt. 10:27

The Restrainer of Lawlessness

The phrase “what restrains him” or “the restrainer” in Paul’s Second Epistle to the Thessalonians (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7) has sparked various interpretations over centuries. A prevalent interpretation, especially among eschatologists who identify the papacy as the “little horn” of Daniel and Revelation, associates the fall of the Western Roman Empire with the removal of the restraining force.

Paul's epistle mentions a mysterious restraining force preventing the rise of the “man of lawlessness.” Many scholars have traditionally identified this restrainer with the Roman Empire, suggesting that its centralized power and authority kept the rise of the Antichrist at bay. This interpretation finds a historical anchor in the deposition of Romulus Augustulus, the last Western Roman Emperor, by the Germanic chieftain Odoacer in 476 AD. This event is often seen as marking the end of the Western Roman Empire’s restraining influence.

Following the collapse of Western Roman authority, the Bishop of Rome, or the Pope, gradually accrued political and spiritual power. This transition filled the power vacuum left by the fallen empire and symbolized the revealing of a new power structure. This shift is particularly significant in the context of interpreting the Book of Revelation, where the “little horn” represents the rise of papal authority, transitioning power from Roman emperors to popes.

A historical timeline elucidates this transition of power. The Edict of Milan in 313 AD, under Emperor Constantine, legalized Christianity and began to shift the Roman Empire's religious landscape. The First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD further solidified the structure and doctrines of the early Church, enhancing the bishops' influence, including the Pope. The fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD marked a significant decline in imperial power, although it did not immediately result in papal supremacy. Between the 5th and 8th centuries, the bishops of Rome gradually increased their influence. Pope Leo I asserted the primacy of the Bishop of Rome and played a crucial role in negotiating with barbarian leaders. The Donation of Pepin in 754 AD granted the Pope control over a large territory in Italy, laying the foundation for the Papal States. The coronation of Charlemagne in 800 AD by Pope Leo III symbolized the fusion of spiritual and temporal power, further establishing the Pope’s influence over the Christian world.

In summary, the interpretation of the restraining force in 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 aligns with the historical transition from Roman imperial power to papal authority. This transition began with Constantine’s acceptance of Christianity and continued through the Middle Ages, culminating in the papacy's consolidation of spiritual and temporal power, symbolized by the coronation of Charlemagne. The gradual increase in papal influence marks a clear shift from the classical Roman Empire to the medieval papal dominion, reflecting the evolving dynamics of power and authority in the Christian world.